Because I can! Pt 9.

I’ve been HEELED!  That’s right folks!  The heels are now FINISHED!

Now don’t get me wrong, short rows are the best, but it’s time to move on.

The process of designing the stitch patterns is underway, and I’ll tell you about a couple of them.

The Sunday sock is in memory of my father.  He was a minister, so it only seems natural that this would be the day to honor him.  After talking with my mom and sister (both talented knitters by the way, not that I’m biased), we decided that a vine pattern would be fitting as it was a symbol that was particularly significant to him.

Tuesday is the night that the local spinner’s and weaver’s guild meets and when I was at their meeting, they suggested a basket weave pattern.  This goes along with the concept of getting organized with everything in its proper place.

Wednesday is the middle of the week, and as many have suggested, a chevron pattern makes a lot of sense here.

Wednesday's Socks

Thanks for your notes and comments.  It’s those little notes of encouragement (yes even those that say I’m crazy) that keep this project going!   This method may not be for everyone.  Okay, Okay, I hear you – it may not really be for anyone.  However, I’m enjoying wrapping my brain around this challenge, and would encourage anyone who likes to test themselves once and awhile to join me.  You haven’t got much to lose (except your sanity, which I assume you lost long ago if you even contemplate this), and, you have 7 pairs of socks to gain

Prince Entrelac IATSE

Because I can. Pt 8

I was beginning to think that the gusset increases would never end, but I’m happy to report that they are, indeed, done! Not only that, but the long-awaited heel turn has been successfully navigated! The heel flap process has now begun!

Recently, I was invited to give a talk on the sock project at the Moonspinner’s Guild meeting, and while the focus of this guild is spinning and weaving, most of the members also knit. I had a great time sharing this project with them. The guild even came up with a suggested pattern for the leg of one of the socks, and since they meet on Tuesdays, I’ve decided to use their suggestion for the Tuesday sock.

Brian talking at the Moonspinner's Guild

Stitch patterns have also been assigned to the Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday socks, but there are a few more that still need to be decided. Do you have an idea for a stitch pattern for the leg of Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday’s socks? It would be wonderful to hear (read) your suggestions. Keep in mind that each pair represents a specific day of the week. For inspiration, take a look at the previous post where each day is described. If your suggestion is selected, skacel collection, Inc. will send you some wonderful sock yarns!

Prince Entrelac Sr.

I love free stuff! “Free car wash with 10 gallon fill-up”. I’ll take it. “One free tire when you buy three”. I’m buying six. “Buy 3 hot dogs, get the 4th free”. I’m eating four for lunch. It’s a fact. Free “stuff” makes us all feel warm and fuzzy inside, not to mention the satisfaction of saving a couple bucks (something that we could all go for right now).

So, when I heard that skacel was running a contest to get a free limited edition addi t-shirt, I almost slipped a stitch. I mean, these shirts are going to be the hottest ticket this fall, so the possibility of getting one for free makes me wonder why more people aren’t jumping at the chance.

Just how does one go about obtaining such a highly sought-after shirt? It’s simple. Just prove to skacel that you’re an addi addict by submitting a picture of yourself and your addi stash (in your natural knitting environment). Yes, it’s that simple! Do you knit on the bus ride to work? Well, have someone take a picture and ride it to a free shirt! Do you knit during math class? Take a picture, and you could add a new shirt to your wardrobe.

To make things even more unreal, each picture submitted will qualify to be entered in an upcoming addi addicted series of advertisements being published in knitting magazines around the country. That is correct; you could be in a nationally published addi advertisement for everyone to see!!!! It’s a win, win, win situation.

Here are a few of the first addi addicts to come out:

Think you can do better? Well, what are you doing still sitting there? Grab your addi Turbos®, take a picture, and prove you’re addicted to addi!

Because I can. Pt 7

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am up to the heels on the project.  I wasn’t sure what kind of heel I wanted to do, so I broke out some more skacel collection, Inc. yarns and did some experimenting.

The first heel I tried out (A) was made using Trekking Hand Art (Color #505).  I used a worksheet from Chrissy Gardiner’s “Toe Up!” for the hybrid heel.  This is a heel with a gusset, short row heel turn and then the heel flap.

Heel A

The next heel I tried (B) was from a class with Judy Becker of “Judy’s Magic Cast On” fame.  She calls it “Judy’s Magic Heel” and it is similar to the hybrid heel but uses a shorter gusset increase and a slightly different heel turn.  This sample is made in Trekking XXL.

Heel B

The final heel (C) was simply a short row heel, using Zauberball.  The directions for this type of heel are available in many books and online resources, and this is a compilation of those techniques.

Heel C

You can see that to test the heels I worked JUST the heel.  Not only did this save test knitting a whole sock, but it serves as a measuring tool when making the toe up socks.  Put the test heel on your foot, and then try on the toe.  Once the sock reaches where the heel begins, you know you can start your heel!

So … drum roll …I decided to go with Heel A, because it fits the foot the best.  Each heel has its place and will likely become a part of my sock knitting repertoire, but when making socks to fit my heel, the hybrid heel is going to be the best.

Prince Entrelac, ESQ

Zitron – Earth Friendly Fibers!

Over the last few years, environmentalism has taken center stage in the business world.  The terms “eco-friendly” and “green” are commonly used buzz words intended to parlay the idea of inflicting little to no harm on the environment.   However, many companies have found that actually going “green” isn’t as easy as it sounds.  This is not the case for Zitron.  You are no doubt familiar with Zitron’s luscious yarns, but you may not be as familiar with Zitron’s manufacturing ethics.

Cambio

Zitron began the shift to “green” long before it was a trend.  Their processing leaves virtually no carbon footprints, and all of their yarns are manufactured from start to finish in Germany – a country with one of the  highest ecological standards in the world.  They rigorously test their wool and wool/nylon blends for harmful substances and residues, of which none can be found.  We are proud to announce that this line of yarns boasts the highest rating possible from Oeko-Tex (a European Textile company that tests yarns for authenticity of various natures).  Thus, all of their fibers have been approved for use by children.  There are no chemical residuals remaining after the production and dying process – thus if a child chews on it, there are no problems!

Polo

Zitron yarns such as Nimbus, Nimbus Color, Gobi, Lifestyle, Ecco, Trekking, Unikat, Loft, Turmalin, Cambio (which uses no dye whatsoever) all qualify for the Oeko-Tex label.  While Filou, Polo, Kokon and a few other do not, these yarns are still manufactured in plants that leave virtually no carbon footprints, and are still considered “green”.

Nimbus

Numerous knitting/crochet publications are realizing the benefits of earth-friendly fibers, and turning to Zitron yarns for their “green” background and fabulous feel.  In fact, you will see Zitron yarns being used in Creative Knitting, Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knit1, Knit ‘n Style, Knit Simple, Knit Scene, Knitter’s Magazine, Verena, and Vogue Knitting!  Designers and authors such as Vickie Howell and Cat Bordhi sing the praises of Zitron yarns.  In fact, Cat makes use of Zitron’s Trekking XXL sock yarns in all of her books to date, and Vickie has just released a wonderful book entitled AwareKnits, which uses Zitron’s Nimbus (a yarn that she notes is “one of [her] all-time faves”).

If you haven’t had the opportunity to knit with a Zitron yarn, I would highly suggest giving it a try!  You’ll be glad you did!

Happy Knitting,

Rob

It’s raining men…!

On any given day the maximum number of men in our building is four, our average number of women is…hold on I have to count…17, so you can imagine how mind-boggling it was to have 28 men descend on Skacel, all at the very same time! Us women were outnumbered; I think it was a first.

Labor Day weekend was the Men’s Knitting Retreat hosted here in Seattle, Washinton. Our own Brian Kohler attended and co-hosted the retreat.  Skacel invited the group to come on a tour of our facility as well as let them do some shopping via All Points in Des Moines.  The owner of All Points, Morgan Hicks, was part of the Men’s Retreat as well.

It was great fun seeing that many men get excited over yarns, needles, and patterns. We also had some star guests with the group. Franklin Habit, Author of It Itches, was part of the retreat, as well as Cat Bordhi, famous sock knitter and author of many books including her newest book Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters. Cat was an honorary man for the weekend and was given a token apple, to represent an adams apple. How sweet.  Literally.

Cat Bordhi and Franklin Habit

It is always refreshing and rejuvenating to hear and talk about a favorite craft with someone that has a completely different view of it.

But now that they have gone back to their respective cities, it has stopped raining men and Skacel is once more, a facility flooded with women.

~Candice

What’s your addiction?

Do you wake up with the urge to knit?  Do you own more addi needles than shoes?  Are you naming your next child “Addi”? Then you my friend, are a certified addi addict … and we want YOU!!!

For years you have sat in silence, knitting away, hoping one day that people would understand your addiction to the world’s best needles.  Your time is now.  We are calling for all addicts to come out of the closet to announce loud and proud, “I am an addi addict!

As addi addicts ourselves, we at Skacel are here to support your addiction.  To kick off this campaign, we will host a contest intended to bring addi addicts into the spotlight.  Be one of the first 100 knitters to prove to us that you’re addicted to addi, and receive a free addi “what’s your addiction” T-shirt (a true collector’s item).  To qualify, simply snap a picture of yourself with your addi stash.  Be creative, be crazy, and show us how much you’re really addicted.  Submit your picture to the email address listed below, and YOU might just be the next recipient of a complimentary collector’s shirt!

The best pictures will also be considered for placement in our “what’s your addiction” ad campaign, becoming instantly immortalized in the annals of addi history!

Rules:

1. Be as creative as you would like…show us what a real addi addict is like.
2. You and your addi stash must be in the picture.
3. Pictures must be emailed to contests@skacelknitting.com
4. Please ensure pictures are high resolution and saved in jpeg format.

PHOTO SUBMISSION RELEASE

Submitter hereby provides an electronic image or photograph via email at contests@skacelknitting.com, under the following terms, and in consideration of the potential publicity and promotional value to submitter from Skacel Collection’s use, internet transmission, or other further dissemination of the Photograph(s):

I consent to the unrestricted use, publication, scanning, editing, cropping, resizing, viewing, broadcast, distribution, reproduction, display, and/or duplication of the Photograph(s) by Skacel Collection for advertising and publicity purposes relating to Skacel Collection or any of their affiliated entities, or for any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereinafter invented without any additional financial or other compensation.  I consent to the use of the Photograph(s) or for any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereinafter invented without further notice or permission.  I understand and agree that I have no right to approve or control the manner in which the Photograph(s) may be used or displayed.

I acknowledge that Skacel Collection is and shall be the sole and exclusive owner of the Photograph(s) and shall have the right to exploit the Photograph(s).

Submitter has not accepted or agreed to accept, or paid or agreed to pay, any money, service or other valuable consideration for the inclusion of any matter in the Photograph(s).

Because I can. – Progress report

Hi folks! Just wanted to give you an update on the socks.

Some of you saw me at Stitch and Pitch in Seattle. I took a brief break from the socks to determine which type of heel I was going to use.

That decision has been made, so now begins the process of the gusset increases! It’s only going to take 32 rows!

32 rows x 1 hr per row = …um…stay tuned!

Prince Entrelac MCMXC

Sock Summit

Sock Summit -there was so much going on that I could write for days, but due to a lack of time, I won’t. Rather, I’ll give you my highlights in pictures and sum it up with a little story.

Beth and Bonnie from Burien Yarn Stash proudly wear their hard-earned T-shirts on the final day of the Summit. skacel gave away T-shirts to all that brought in a printed copy of Brian’s blog entry, as well as those who could prove they were big fans of the addi needles. We gave away over a hundred T-Shirts at the show. Several other proud recipients are featured below as well.

 

I haven’t knit on two individual needles since I don’t know when, however, it was mandatory in order to participate in the Guinness Book of World Records attempt. So, I actually did it. Hopefully no one got a picture of me, as I had to use a set competitor’s needles since I forgot to bring addi’s along.

 

Brian, of course, was at the Summit, knitting away on his 14 socks on one needle. Many folks stopped to check it out. I give Brian credit, he repeated himself on what he was doing and why (Because I can), at least 50 times a day, and never complained or got “short” with anyone!

Brian was also photographed over and over and over again. There were times when 4 or 5 people would be standing in front of him with their cameras flashing. It sort of gave our booth the feel as if paparazzi were hounding us. Above, Brian checks out a photo of himself on the I-phone of one of his many admirers.

My little summation story.

On the last day of the Summit, on the elevator ride down at my hotel, I met a mother and daughter with over-stuffed fabric bags in their hands. I asked them if they had fun at the Summit. Their enthusiastic answer was “Yes, and we learned so much in class.” They had flown out from the Midwest and had feared it may not be worth the money, but they agreed it was worth every dime and they would do it again. Only thing was, they had spent more money than anticipated on new yarns and did not have room in their luggage to get it home. Thus, they had to send a package from the UPS station inside the show. When I asked them if it was newly purchased yarns in their bags they were sending, one responded, “Heck no! This is our dirty laundry we’re sending! The yarns come with us on the plane.”

~Karin

“Because I can” pt 6. Back from Sock Summit.

Hello Fellow Fiber Enthusiasts (or the mildly curious),

It was great to meet so many of you at Sock Summit. As you can see from the photo, progress was made on the socks.

Lots of people stopped by and asked questions, which I was more than happy to answer. While meeting some of the “icons” of the industry was a treat, I’d have to say the highlight for me was getting the chance to talk with other sock knitting enthusiasts.

Most people think this is a crazy project, and I think I’d agree with them to some extent, but it is enjoyable. I had hoped to reach the heels before the end of the weekend, but didn’t quite make it. I’ll keep plugging along!

Prince Entrelac MCMXC